N-Docosanol

N-Docosanol Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

N-Docosanol exerts its antiviral effect on HSV by inhibiting fusion of the virus envelope with host cell plasma membranes, resulting in inhibition of viral entry into cells and subsequent viral replication.

N-Docosanol is a saturated 22-carbon aliphatic alcohol which exhibits antiviral activity against many lipid enveloped viruses including herpes simplex virus (HSV). N-Docosanol speeds the healing of cold sores and fever blisters on the face or lips. It also relieves the accompanying symptoms, including tingling, pain, burning, and itching. N-Docosanol cannot, however, prevent cold sores or fever blisters from appearing.

N-Docosanol
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	N-Docosanol
Generic	Docosanol
Docosanol Other Names	1-Docosanol, Behenic alcohol, Behenyl alcohol, Docosanol, Docosyl alcohol, N-Docosanol
Type
Formula	C₂₂H₄₆O
Weight	Average: 326.6 Monoisotopic: 326.354866094
Groups	Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class	Topical Antiviral preparations
Manufacturer
Available Country
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

N-Docosanol cream is used for the topical treatment of acute and recurrent oral-facial Herpes simplex episodes (Herpes labialis or cold sores or fever blisters).

N-Docosanol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Cold Sore

How N-Docosanol works

N-Docosanol works by inhibiting fusion between the human cell plasma membrane and the herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope, thereby preventing viral entry into cells and subsequent viral replication. Unlike other cold-sore antivirals, docosanol does not act directly on the virus, and as such it is unlikely it will produce drug resistant mutants of HSV.

Dosage

N-Docosanol dosage

Adults and Children of 12 years of age and older: Apply 5 times a day until healed. Treatment should be begun at earliest signs or symptoms of herpes infection (Blisters, open sores, pain in the infected area, itching, burning, tingling or numbness).

Side Effects

Generally N-Docosanol is well tolerated. Rarely burning, dryness of skin, itching, rash, swelling & headache are seen after administration of N-Docosanol.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include headache, abdominal pain, increased serum lipase, nausea, dyspepsia, dizziness, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Precaution

Cream should only be applied to lips and face. Avoid application in or near the eyes. Emphasize hand washing following application. Do not touch the lesion to prevent spread to others or to other parts of the body.

Herpes infection is a recurring disease. Viral reactivation may be triggered by ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure, stress, fatigue, chilling. Other possible triggers include fever, injury, menstruation, dental work and infectious diseases (cold, flu).

Patients are advised to notify health care professionals if lesions do not heal in 14 days or if fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes occur.

Food Interaction

No interactions found.

Elimination Route

Topical absorption has been shown to be minimal under conditions reflecting normal clinical use.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies using rats or rabbits.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether N-Docosanol is excreted in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in breast milk, consideration should be given to discontinue nursing temporarily or withhold the drug while the mother is nursing.